Blue Jackets sign right wing Josh Anderson to three-year contract

COLUMBUS, OHIO --- The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed right wing Josh Anderson to a three-year contract through the 2019-20 NHL season, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Anderson, 23, registered 17 goals and 12 assists for 29 points with 89 penalty minutes and a +12 plus/minus rating in 78 games in his first full NHL campaign in 2016-17. He finished second on the team in shooting percentage (14.3%) and third in even strength goals (17). He made his NHL playoffs debut in the 2017 postseason, collecting 1-1-2 in five contests vs. Pittsburgh.

"Josh was an important contributor on our team a year ago and we believe he will continue to be an important part of our team in the years to come," said Kekalainen. "He brings size, speed and grit to our lineup and as a young player is still growing and developing with his best years still to come."

The native of Burlington, Ontario has posted 18-16-34 with 93 penalty minutes and a +11 plus/minus rating in 96 career NHL games with Columbus and has added 25-31-56 with 184 penalty minutes and is +15 in 110 career AHL games with the Springfield Falcons and Lake Erie Monsters. He collected 1-3-4 in 12 games with Columbus in 2015-16 and finished second on Lake Erie (AHL) in goals and fourth in points with 18-21-39 and 108 penalty minutes in 58 regular season contests. He added 7-5-12 in 15 playoff games to help the Monsters capture the 2016 Calder Cup.

The Blue Jackets' fourth round selection, 95th overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft, he notched 62-61-123 with 192 penalty minutes and was +58 in 191 career Ontario Hockey League games with the London Knights from 2011-14. He helped the club capture back-to-back OHL titles in 2012 and 2013. The 6-3, 221-pound winger also represented Canada at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championships.